This document defines common idioms used in business meetings. It explains the meanings of phrases like "to call a meeting to order" which means to announce that a meeting is beginning, "to get back on track" which refers to returning to the correct path or direction, and "a roll call" in which the names of all attending people are read aloud to confirm their presence. It also outlines idioms such as "to get down to business" for beginning negotiations or work, "to make a motion" to formally suggest an idea to be voted on, "to have the floor" as the right to speak, and "to put something on the table" to submit a topic for group discussion.

1. Business meeting idioms
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2. To call a meeting to order
(formal) to announce that a meeting is about to
begin
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Alex took the
microphone to call
the annual general
meeting to order.

3. To get back on track
to return to the right path, or the right direction
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Reviewing the notes
from our last meeting
helped me get back
on track with the
company’s objectives.

4. A roll call
If someone does a roll call, they read aloud the
names of all the people on the list to make certain
that they are present.
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Co-chair Jack McCallum
opened up the meeting
with a roll call.

5. To get down to business
to begin to negotiate or conduct business
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Jacob and I met at a
quiet coffee shop
where we could
finally get down to
business.

6. To make a motion
to make a formal suggestion to be decided and voted on
at a meeting
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Jerome made a
motion to approve
the upcoming budget.

7. To have the floor
To have the right to speak
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When the keynote
speaker had the floor,
the audience listened
to her in fascination.

8. To put (something) on the table
to submit a subject to discussion by the group
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The project
coordinator put the
option of the
library renovation
on the table. She
was looking for
everyone’s input.